When Stress Leads To Overeating (Or, Why I Almost Ate An Entire Can Of Frosting Last Night)
Now, why couldn’t someone have given me a heads-up about this yesterday?
Stress comes in many forms and it comes to us all.
Last evening it came to me in the form of being laid off from a job that I truly adored.
Normally, this would have sent me into a tailspin of grief and anxiety, well…it kinda did, but along with that would have came me reaching for my old friend comfort food.
It’s one thing that I know which would have given me a quick “fix” of peace. I found myself instinctually groping around the pantry for the can of cream cheese frosting I knew was hiding back there, just waiting for a moment like this: “There, there, Linda. I’m here for you. I’ll make you feel all better!”
No! I knew that greasy concoction of partially hydrogenated oils and corn syrup was lying!
So, I took a deep breath for a count of 1…2…and out for 1…2…3…4…
and regrouped.
Here’s a handy list of things you can do to calm yourself instead of reaching for food:
- Call a friend and vent
- Cuddle your pet (my dog Rocco is great for this, but you’ll have to find your own furry friend)
- Take a long bath with the phone off
- Go for a walk
- Drink some herbal tea out of your favorite cup
- Write in your journal
- Scream into a pillow (wouldn’t want to scare the neighbors!)
- Meditate or pray
- Relax your jaw and shoulders (we hold a lot of tension here)
- Cry
- Crank up music and dance
- Draw or paint
- Get a massage
- Hug your partner or kids
- Paint your nails
- Get outside (just getting out of your house or apartment can make you feel better)
- Go out to a movie
- Read a book
- Do something nice for someone without them knowing
- Let it go (I’m still working on this one)
Keep Weight Off For Life 
Wow, this post has shocking news in it. I don’t understand (and it sounds like you don’t either right now) how this happened. I am sorry to hear that you have been laid off especially from a job that you invested so much energy and time into. Your patients are lucky to get the chance to learn from your experiences as a someone who went through a weight loss journey herself. Maybe this unfortunate experience is just because there are better things to come for you??? Actually, I am sure of it. 🙂 Thank you for continuing to inspire others and keep writing!
Michelle, sometimes through life’s greatest struggles and challenges comes it’s greatest triumphs. While I am left confused and hurt, I choose to use this energy to focus on my future. I want continue to help people not just to lose weight, but to get healthier and thus transform their lives into ones they can be proud of and not allow something like this to defeat them.
You are a shining star. You will get past this and go on to help hundreds more people, just as you have helped me!
((((Barb)))) I can’t thank you enough for your kind words. I have always said, this is my true passion in life, a gift, and I am most happy when sharing it. Thank you for allowing me to share it with you.
I love you Linda! You are an inspiration to everyone you speak to! You have changed my way of viewing myself and my weight! I wanna be like you! 🙂 Chin up! You will have a bigger better business than them one day!
Aww! Tina, thank you! I’m not sure what the future holds but I know I will find a way to continue to do what I’ve been doing. Nothing will stop me! xoxo
I’m so sorry to read this, Linda! I can tell how much your job meant to you. I know you will find something else and that you will continue to help others. I have really been enjoying your blog– keep up the good work!
Thanks Emily, I’m no great writer but I can only speak from my heart. I truly believe when one door closes a window opens…xoxo
Linda,
Tina could not have said it better. I agree with her 100%. You are a very special person. I love the blogging, its so you.
Thanks so much, Darlene. I keep having that line from Dori in “Finding Nemo” in my head:
Just keep swimming, keep swimming, keep swimming, Swimming, swimming, …
OH Linda, I loved seeing you there when Carl and I used to go. Your energy and inspiration were contagious!! We should all keep in touch with you and plan a ‘reunion’. Your a beautiful lady. Carl and I wish you all the best. I hope we all keep in touch!!
love and blessings
Carl and Tara Dojan
Thank you Tara and Carl! A reunion! What a lovely idea! It was my pleasure getting to know you both and I wish you every happiness! I hope I get to see you again soon, please, let’s keep in touch!
I am so stunned and saddened for you ……and for us! It simply doesn’t make sense. You are so strong and such an inspiration to all of us, I’m sure there will be much, much better days ahead for you. You deserve so much more!
Tam, thank you for your unending kindness and support. It means more than you know. xoxo
I really enjoyed coming there every week, but with the changes lately it doesn’t set right and now with you gone, I decided to do #10 on the “Handy list of things to do” I just cried, and now I’m leaving it in God’s Hands, he brings us together for a reason and he will also make away out. I’m hoping our paths will cross again. You are such a wonderful soul. Thank you for everything.
((((Julie))) I did my share of #10, too, but I know there is a greater purpose for all this and I just have to have faith in that. I *know* our paths will cross again! I’m not going anywhere! You can always count on me to be here for you.
Wow Linda that is sad sad news. I was so surprised to hear. MWLC will not be the same. They lost a true professional who has a natural ability to make everyone feel better while on their journey of weight loss.
I know Katherine and I always valued you and your experience. Thank you for everything and keep blogging!
Vicky, Thank you for your support and kind words…it was always my pleasure in seeing you both. You two always made me smile!! I considered it an honor to be of any help along the way. Please let me know if there is anything I can ever do to help you both in the future xoxo
Thank god for you. An amazing sister and coach who has helped me so much more than you know. This is the best thing that could have happened to you, although you may not see that right at this moment. Your future holds so much more amazing journeys and now you can really shine and help others in an even bigger way! Your light shines too bright to ever be dimmed… Someone very wise ( and older) lol… Told me…. “this too shall pass”… And she was so right . Love u xox
Risa…and just when I thought I had finally stopped crying I had to read your post?! 🙂 My sister, my friend…it is times like this when we need each other the most. Thank you for always being there for me xoxo
Linda, this is a sad day, and I am sure you have much to work through. While the past you have been there for many of us as we needed the support, we now have an opportunity to provide you a listening ear, a helping hand, or whatever you are needing to get you through. You are an inspiration to us. You are the embodiment of what success represents. Let us know how we can be there for you.
Jerry Queen
Jerry, The amount of kindness is more than I could have ever conceived and is what truly has gotten me through the past 24 hours. I could not have imagined the outpouring of genuine concern and friendship I have felt from you all. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Linda
You were a HUGE part of my weight loss at MWLC. You inspired me and even after I left there you continue to inspire me. I know you will continue on and help others like me reach all their goals.
Jen Trick
Jen!!! xoxo
I have thought of you often and have wondered how you have been doing…please, let me know if there is *ever* anything I can do to help you in any way. It is people like you that made my job there so rewarding. Thank you for those kind words, they mean more to me than you know ❤
What an inspiring post, and I’m glad to have met you when you are envisioning a bright future. What helpful techniques you’ve offered! I’m going to try #19.
Thank you so very much and it was lovely meeting you as well! I’m glad one day I’ll get to say I met you at the beginning of your long and successful career! All the best to you…